We only have proven records of earthquakes in Peru since the arrival of the Spaniards in the region. Even so we know that already the first Peruvian cultures had to cope with the seismic activities. Earthquake after earthquake, century after century it seems these ancient cultures learned how to keep their constructions and belongings safe. Many archaeologists for example believe that the special trapezoid character of the Inca architecture was one of the precautions against such natural destruction.

In contrast the Spanish conquerors weren’t prepared for earthquakes at all. They built the new capital Lima based on the model of Spanish cities using the same architecture and methods like back home. Considering the location of Lima in a seismic area this couldn’t work. During the first 100 years after Lima’s foundation many buildings were badly damaged or destroyed completely by earthquakes due to inadequate construction methods. A good example is the Cathedral of Lima at the Plaza de Armas in the historic city center. During the construction heavy earthquakes damaged it badly and the church had to be repaired over and over again. Finally in 1645 the work was accomplished. But again reiterated earthquakes, especially the one from 1746, harmed the church and therefore asked for a lighter construction. Consequently the Cathedral of Lima was altered once again and repaired.

Unfortunately other original buildings of the first settlers weren’t so lucky to be repaired over and over again. These beautiful and characteristic mansions were destroyed and never rebuilt. That’s probably one of the reasons why today we only find a handful of the first colonial houses like the Casa de Aliaga or the Casa de Pilatos in Lima. But the Spaniards learned as well and tried to adjust their building method to the given conditions. Therefore some colonial buildings from the 17th and 18th century survived earthquakes and other obstacles giving us today the charm and uniqueness of the historical city center.

Already two years before the foundation of Lima Hernando Pizarro, the brother of the founder of Lima, was taken aback by a heavy earthquake while searching for a suitable terrain for the new capital. A warning sign which the conquerors ignored!

Lima experienced the strongest earthquake since its foundation in 1535. Many buildings were badly damaged, some citizens hurt, a few even killed.

In the afternoon at the beginning of the mass hold by the Jesuit Jerónimo Ruiz del Portillo in the Convent of Santo Domingo, Lima was again struck by a strong tremor. No big damages are reported, but the earthquake was so strong that it was felt 200km to 300km away.

According to the residents of Lima and records of the Viceroy Conde del Villar the city was once again rattled by a destructive earthquake. The exact date is unknown, but many houses were badly damaged

Another strong tremor hits Lima during the celebrations of the Concilio Provincial. According to records the noise of the earthquake was immense, residents panicked; many houses were damaged and collapsed causing injuries and death.

Another major earthquake hits Lima and causes great destruction. The authorities made big efforts to get damaged houses repaired and ordered to demolish buildings beyond repair. The Casas Reales in Callao were badly damaged. Aftershocks hit Lima for two days.

At approximately 07.00 pm an earthquake with an estimated 8.6 magnitude on the Richter scale leveled the Lima-Callao region nearly to the ground. Many buildings in Lima were destroyed completely, only a few remained but damaged badly. Rocks and masses of stones fell from nearby hills like Cerro San Cristobal. The earthquake was preceded by immense noise. Only around 20 citizens died.

A tsunami generated by the earthquake flooded great parts of Limas gateway to the world, the port of Callao. Records indicate waves high as 20m inundating locations hundreds of meters away from the coast. The Viceroy Conde del Villar reported to the Spanish crown that this earthquake was much worse than the ones from 1555, 1581 and 1584. The destruction extended to the valleys around Lima as far as Chincha and Ica and could be felt 1000km along the coast (as well in Huanuco and Cusco). Lima experienced heavy aftershocks for around 2 months.

Around 08.00 pm a violent earthquake hit Lima and destroyed most of its buildings. Reports indicate the collapse of over 500 houses. The damage to the Cathedral of Lima that was still under construction was estimated at around 200,000 pesos.

Around lunchtime when Limas citizens were attending a bullfight at the Plaza de Armas a major earthquake shook the city. Once again most houses in the city were severely damaged. Many people were injured and some killed. Due to the danger of collapsing buildings the main square with its surrounding markets and shops, were closed for the Christmas time.

At 07.45 pm a strong earthquake rattles the Lima and Callao region. Once again many buildings were destroyed or badly damaged, including the Viceroys Palace. 9 people died. The damage was estimated at around 3,000,000 pesos.

In the afternoon two major earthquakes, with magnitudes estimated at 8.0 and 8.5, struck the area surrounding Lima within one hour. The first tremor destroyed most of Limas buildings and towers. Approximately 100 people died. The second earthquake generated a devastating tsunami. 10 meter high waves wreaked havoc in the port of Callao. Nothing and nobody was spared. Another estimated 500 died due to the tsumani. The earthquakes and the tsunami did huge damage to the whole southern coast. Pisco was like Callao completely flooded, many haciendas in the valleys of Ica, Palpa and Nasca destroyed.

A great earthquake hits Lima. A report indicates the earthquake ruined many houses and churches still standing after the quake from 1687.

Two strong earthquakes within a short period of time hit the capital and destroyed many houses.

Following the reports of Father Fevillee 14 strong earthquakes hit Lima in a 10 month period. The strongest one in Lima on the 20th of December 1709 was introduced by an immense noise.

Very strong earthquakes shake Lima

At 10.30 pm a massive earthquake, the largest to strike central Peru in recorded history, ravaged Lima, by now a bustling city with 50,000 citizens. This magnitude 8.6 quake completely destroyed Lima and everything else along the central Peruvian coast. According to reports half an hour after the quake, a large tsunami struck the shore causing great damage at all Peruvian ports. Callao was hit worst, with a 24 meter run-up and 5 kilometer inundation that completely destroyed the town and everything in its way.

The earthquake tsunami combination demolished churches, major buildings and residences, damaged food and water supplies, suspended normal social codes, throwing people of different social classes together resulting in widespread chaos. From the 4000 citizens of Callao only 200 survived. The death toll from the earthquake and tsunami is estimated at about 5000. Within 24 hours after this destructive earthquake the Lima and Callao region had additional to cope with over 200 aftershocks.

At around 03.00 am a violent earthquake shakes Lima. Frightened citizens fled their houses. No damages were reported.

Strong earthquakes rattle Lima

Lima experienced the strongest earthquake since 1746. The tremor lasted over a minute.

At 07.35 am a strong earthquake caused great damage to public buildings and residences in Lima. The ports of Callao, Chorrilos and Chancay were hit badly. 30 people died, numerous were injured. The damage was estimated over 30,000,000 pesos.

A strong earthquake rattled Lima at 02.00 am in the morning. Many buildings in Lima itself and Chorrillos were damaged. Aftershocks hit the area for the following 4 days.

A strong earthquake rattled Lima at 02.00 am in the morning. Many buildings in Lima itself and Chorrillos were damaged. Aftershocks hit the area for the following 4 days.

One of the strongest earthquakes since the colonization hit the southern coast of Peru. Most affected were the regions of Tacna, Moquegua, Arequipa, Arica (Chile) and Iquique (Chile). But even Lima experienced strong shocks for around 5 minutes.

A strong earthquake caused great damage in the Lima and Callao area. The shocks were felt as far as Ancon in the north and Pisco in the south.

At 05.17 am a strong earthquake rattled Lima and an area of around 230,000 km2. Many ancient houses were destroyed; the Cathedral of Lima was once again badly damaged. In the port of Callao and in Chorrillos nearly all buildings were affected. The shocks could be felt as far as Trujillo in the north and Pisco, Ica and Ayacucho in the south.

At 02.23 pm Lima and Callao experienced a strong earthquake. According to the Sociedad Geografica de Lima (Geographical Society of Lima) the epicenter was located only 83km away from Lima.

An earthquake with great intensity hit Lima causing damage to mayor structures. In Callao’s cemetery the mausoleums suffered damage. The central railroad track was partly buried by landslides.

Lima was jolted by an intense earthquake at 09.33 pm which burst walls, chimneys and towers. In the port of Callao the earthquake was much stronger. Many public buildings and residences were badly damaged. The Church of Santa Rosa in Callao survived the quake in a deplorable state.

At 09.55 pm a strong and long earthquake hit Lima, Callao and Ica. Especially old mansions were damaged. In Ica many windows were shattered.

The city of Lima and the nearby areas were shaken by another destructive earthquake at 11.35 am. The magnitude 8.2 earthquake was so intense that it was felt throughout Peru and as far as Guayaquil, Ecuador in the north and Arica, Chile in the south. The temblor caused great destructions especially in Limas city center, in Callao, Chorrillos, Barranco, Chancay and Lurin.

Once again the Cathedral of Lima suffered badly. Around half of the antique quincha and adobe houses that survived other quakes were destroyed completely. Not only old buildings were affected by the shaking but as well modern structures. 179 people died and 3500 were injured. The damage was estimated at around 3,600,000 Soles de Oro.

Lima had to experience a strong earthquake at 11.39 am. The quake was introduced by a strange noise. Seconds later the most buildings in the city were swaying. Many house walls and streets cracked.

The citizens of Lima were woken up by another violent tremor at 04.33 am. The intense noise and heavy shaking made them leave their beds and run to the streets in the early morning hours.

A strong earthquake hit Lima at 11.06 am. 11 people died. Luckily only a few public buildings and residences were damaged.

A strong earthquake hit Lima and an extensive area in the south at 04.30 am. Some buildings were destroyed completely, but tens of thousands in Lima, Ica, Huancavelica, Palpa and Nazca were damaged badly. Many people were injured and even died.

This earthquake just off the coast of Callao, was undoubtedly one of the strongest since 1940. It had a magnitude of 8.1 on the Richter scale and claimed over 125 lives. Some 3000 people were injured.

Thousands of buildings were severely damaged or destroyed leaving around 30,000 people in the area homeless. Streets were cracked open, cars tossed around, walls collapsed. Panicking citizens fled to the streets.

A strong earthquake at 10.51 am luckily only caused moderate damages in Limas city center.

At 09.21 am a shock centered approximately 80 kilometers southwest of Lima rocked the southern coastal area of Peru inflicting heavy damage in the Lima area. The earthquake measured a magnitude of 8.1 on the Richter scale and lasted around 2 minutes. It caused extensive damage to churches, historical monuments, public buildings and residences in the region. Antique adobe and chincha houses especially in the districts of Barrios Altos, Rimac, the City Center, Barranco, Chorrillos and Callao suffered badly.

Modern reinforced concrete structures were severely damaged. In the district of La Molina for example a number of new buildings couldn’t stand the strong forces and collapsed. The same happened in the district of Callao where a four storey reinforced concrete building collapsed. 78 people lost their lives, over 2500 were injured. The damage was estimated at around 2,700,000,000 Soles.

Two powerful earthquakes shock the area south of Lima at 06.40 pm and 06.42 pm. The epicenters were located 150 km south of Lima. The magnitude 7.9 and 8.2 tremors overlapped and lasted together nearly two minutes. The Ica region was hit hardest, with 70% of the city of Pisco leveled to the ground, the city of Ica, Chincha and villages in the area badly damaged. Churches, public buildings and residences collapsed and with it the whole infrastructure of the region. Paracas was flooded by a tsunami. The Pan Americana Sur Highway was interrupted at many places due to huge cracks and destroyed bridges which made it difficult to reach the most hit areas. Until today the area hasn’t recovered completely.

And even in Lima the ground shaking was frightening. Office workers and residents of sky scrapers fled the buildings, panicking people rushed to more or less safe places on the streets, traffic came to a complete standstill, power lines were cut, landlines and cell phones didn’t work for hours. But luckily Lima with its nearly 8,000,000 inhabitants was spared a real disaster. Only a handful of old rundown houses collapsed, a moderate number of buildings had cracks, many windows were shattered, here and there the streets had some new holes or small cracks.

The Costa Verde was partly flooded by the extension of the tsunami that hit Paracas. In Lima nobody died due to the earthquake, only a few injuries were reported. Anyhow around 500 people in the south of Lima lost their lives, over 2000 were injured; some of them quite severe and more than 20,000 were left homeless.

Earthquakes are among the most powerful and terrifying events on earth. Unfortunately for thousands of years they have been a common occurrence in Peru and the area of Lima. We never know when and where to expect the next earthquake, so be prepared and aware on what to do...